Government Aims to Make UK the Best Place to Innovate

Government Aims to Make UK the Best Place to Innovate

26th Apr 11:32

The government has announced an investigation into employment rules that could act as barriers to innovation and prevent employees from launching a startup.

A consultation was launched by the government asking for views on how to “prevent red tape from stifling entrepreneurship” which includes compete clauses which prevent individuals working for a competitor for a certain amount of time after leaving a company.

The consultation will be open until the 22nd May.

The survey will question businesses on their views on a range of topics such as how the government can continue to “be a leader in open government and transparency”, what difficulties they run into when seeking finance for innovation and using government procurement to “kickstart development of technology”.

Business secretary Sajid Javid said that Britain is ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation.

He added: “But I want to see more enterprising startups and greater productivity in a free and fair marketplace. [This can be done] by making sure we take action to break down any barriers that are curbing innovation and entrepreneurship.”

Emma Jones, Founder of Enterprise Nation, said over half a million startups are created in the UK each year.She said: “Entrepreneurial individuals need to be able to ease out of employment and into self-employment, so a move to look into how employment contracts reflect this and the modern economy is warmly welcomed.”